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doc_colton · 5 April 2013, 12:12 AM

I've been all over the Caribbean but never this part. Any recommendations on things to do and see? There seem to be a fair number of casinos there.

GerardoG · 5 April 2013, 12:16 AM

Nice small island, friendly people, good food and pretty good shopping!

SLRdude · 5 April 2013, 12:33 AM

I spent a week there last year but to be honest I cannot recall many casinos, unless you count the really tiny ones that some hotels have in their lobby.

It's not a party island but quite the opposite. Very relaxing.

I strongly suggest renting a Jeep Wrangler for 24 hours for around 120 USD. That's only a few bucks more than the cost of a bus tour of the island for two people and you get to go anywhere you want, on and off the road. The only thing you have to agree on is to not drive on white sand (you will get stuck) and do not drive on sites marked heritage.

We had a blast while there and there watch selection is pretty damn good. I ended up buying a Breitling Aerospace while there last August.

doc_colton · 5 April 2013, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLRdude

I spent a week there last year but to be honest I cannot recall many casinos, unless you count the really tiny ones that some hotels have in their lobby.

It's not a party island but quite the opposite. Very relaxing.

I strongly suggest renting a Jeep Wrangler for 24 hours for around 120 USD. That's only a few bucks more than the cost of a bus tour of the island for two people and you get to go anywhere you want, on and off the road. The only thing you have to agree on is to not drive on white sand (you will get stuck) and do not drive on sites marked heritage.

We had a blast while there and there watch selection is pretty damn good. I ended up buying a Breitling Aerospace while there last August.

I will keep that in mind. I was planning a little watch shopping while I was down there. I'm assuming your purchase was in Oranjestad, the main city.

ralpie · 5 April 2013, 01:01 AM

Restaurants are amazing. A bit expensive, but worth it.

I recommend Hosteria Da Vittorio, Sole Mare and Giorgio's for great Italian.

El Faro Blanco or "the Lighthouse Restaurant" has great views.

Great island.

Dan Pierce · 5 April 2013, 01:03 AM

The California Lighthouse at sunset for dinner.
Have fun!
dP

SLRdude · 5 April 2013, 01:34 AM

We stayed at Riu Palace in an ocean facing suite right below the penthouse.

The view was AMAZING... let me see if I can dig up pics.

SLRdude · 5 April 2013, 01:43 AM

here are some I found on my phone.

If I remember correctly, we paid right under 5k USD for a week of all inclusive, airfare included.

The people in Aruba are very nice and I liked how nobody tried to sell me time shares or anything else.

It is windy though, all the time, and it gets dark very early.

Brunotheboxer · 5 April 2013, 02:24 AM

We were just there.

doc_colton · 5 April 2013, 02:44 AM

Thanks for the pictures! I've heard it's windy there most of the time, the long range weather says winds 20-25 mph all week but from what I gather that's normal. When it's 90 degrees and sunny and you have a cocktail in your hand who cares. I've got to get away, the weather here in Toronto has been pretty depressing of late.

SLRdude · 5 April 2013, 02:54 AM

Make sure you rent that Jeep and drive around on your own.

It's an amazing island and you miss many things if you do a bus tour.

Jrsumner · 5 April 2013, 05:02 AM

I am new to the site and have been lurking, but I could not resist the topic. My wife and i loved the island when we went several years back.

When you go out on your own, carry a set of snorkling gear (sometimes available for loan at the hotel). On the East side of the island, when you see a red buoy out in the ocean or look for the anchored snorkling tour boats, usually 30 or so yards off the beach, park and go snorkling. It has great places to snorkle right off of the beach. Especially the north side of the island, off L.G. Smith Boulavard, as you are going towards the light house.

Have fun!

renfield33 · 5 April 2013, 09:23 AM

Madame Janette is the best restaurant on the island IMO. I've been seven times and that is the must do restaurant. You have to have a reservation. When my wife and I go we mostly hang out on the beach and read to relax!

Trouble15 · 5 April 2013, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renfield33

Madame Janette is the best restaurant on the island IMO. I've been seven times and that is the must do restaurant. You have to have a reservation. When my wife and I go we mostly hang out on the beach and read to relax!

Madame Janette's is very good. Aruba is a nice little island, very relaxing vacation. Enjoy your trip!

Walton · 5 April 2013, 11:53 AM

The jeep/lighthouse tour is OK as far as the tourist thing todo...the old church on it is pretty cool, and there was this dog that lived there who was very cool.

I'm lukewarm on the island. The people were not overly friendly in my opinion, but I was in St Lucia the month before and they pretty much spoiled me on locals in the Caribbean.

SLRdude · 6 April 2013, 03:35 AM

If you like hot sauce, stop by Iguana Joe's and pick some some up.

Good bar with good drinks, amazing hot sauce. It's made by them and not for sale outside the island, although you can order it from there website. (I need to order some, as you can tell from those pics I just took)

It's some of the best hot sauce I ever had, and I had many.

5 April 2013, 12:12 AM	#1
doc_colton "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 825	Off to Aruba next week! I've been all over the Caribbean but never this part. Any recommendations on things to do and see? There seem to be a fair number of casinos there. __________________

5 April 2013, 12:33 AM	#3
SLRdude "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Real Name: Chip Location: Dallas TX Posts: 6,194	I spent a week there last year but to be honest I cannot recall many casinos, unless you count the really tiny ones that some hotels have in their lobby. It's not a party island but quite the opposite. Very relaxing. I strongly suggest renting a Jeep Wrangler for 24 hours for around 120 USD. That's only a few bucks more than the cost of a bus tour of the island for two people and you get to go anywhere you want, on and off the road. The only thing you have to agree on is to not drive on white sand (you will get stuck) and do not drive on sites marked heritage. We had a blast while there and there watch selection is pretty damn good. I ended up buying a Breitling Aerospace while there last August. __________________ Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try. Yoda, Jedi Master CHIP Member # 87

5 April 2013, 01:03 AM	#6
Dan Pierce "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: D'OH! Location: Kentucky Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3 Posts: 36,346	The California Lighthouse at sunset for dinner. Have fun! dP __________________ TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club

5 April 2013, 01:34 AM	#7
SLRdude "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Real Name: Chip Location: Dallas TX Posts: 6,194	We stayed at Riu Palace in an ocean facing suite right below the penthouse. The view was AMAZING... let me see if I can dig up pics. __________________ Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try. Yoda, Jedi Master CHIP Member # 87

5 April 2013, 01:43 AM	#8
SLRdude "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Real Name: Chip Location: Dallas TX Posts: 6,194	here are some I found on my phone. If I remember correctly, we paid right under 5k USD for a week of all inclusive, airfare included. The people in Aruba are very nice and I liked how nobody tried to sell me time shares or anything else. It is windy though, all the time, and it gets dark very early. __________________ Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try. Yoda, Jedi Master CHIP Member # 87

5 April 2013, 12:16 AM	#2
GerardoG Banned Join Date: Oct 2005 Real Name: Gerardo Location: Here Watch: ALL of them Posts: 32,098	Nice small island, friendly people, good food and pretty good shopping!

5 April 2013, 01:01 AM	#5
ralpie 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: May 2012 Real Name: Ral P Location: Northeast Posts: 2,422	Restaurants are amazing. A bit expensive, but worth it. I recommend Hosteria Da Vittorio, Sole Mare and Giorgio's for great Italian. El Faro Blanco or "the Lighthouse Restaurant" has great views. Great island.

5 April 2013, 02:24 AM	#9
Brunotheboxer Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Real Name: Bruno Location: Boston/Cape Cod Watch: 16610,PAM. 111, G Posts: 7,608	We were just there.

5 April 2013, 02:44 AM	#10
doc_colton "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 825	Thanks for the pictures! I've heard it's windy there most of the time, the long range weather says winds 20-25 mph all week but from what I gather that's normal. When it's 90 degrees and sunny and you have a cocktail in your hand who cares. I've got to get away, the weather here in Toronto has been pretty depressing of late. __________________

5 April 2013, 02:54 AM	#11
SLRdude "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Real Name: Chip Location: Dallas TX Posts: 6,194	Make sure you rent that Jeep and drive around on your own. It's an amazing island and you miss many things if you do a bus tour. __________________ Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try. Yoda, Jedi Master CHIP Member # 87

5 April 2013, 05:02 AM	#12
Jrsumner "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Real Name: Jesse Location: Tulsa Watch: GMT-IIc Posts: 12	I am new to the site and have been lurking, but I could not resist the topic. My wife and i loved the island when we went several years back. When you go out on your own, carry a set of snorkling gear (sometimes available for loan at the hotel). On the East side of the island, when you see a red buoy out in the ocean or look for the anchored snorkling tour boats, usually 30 or so yards off the beach, park and go snorkling. It has great places to snorkle right off of the beach. Especially the north side of the island, off L.G. Smith Boulavard, as you are going towards the light house. Have fun!

5 April 2013, 09:23 AM	#13
renfield33 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Watch: GMT-II Pepsi Posts: 1,051	Madame Janette is the best restaurant on the island IMO. I've been seven times and that is the must do restaurant. You have to have a reservation. When my wife and I go we mostly hang out on the beach and read to relax! __________________ Lug hole loyalist!

5 April 2013, 11:53 AM	#15
Walton Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 134	The jeep/lighthouse tour is OK as far as the tourist thing todo...the old church on it is pretty cool, and there was this dog that lived there who was very cool. I'm lukewarm on the island. The people were not overly friendly in my opinion, but I was in St Lucia the month before and they pretty much spoiled me on locals in the Caribbean.

6 April 2013, 03:35 AM	#16
SLRdude "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Real Name: Chip Location: Dallas TX Posts: 6,194	If you like hot sauce, stop by Iguana Joe's and pick some some up. Good bar with good drinks, amazing hot sauce. It's made by them and not for sale outside the island, although you can order it from there website. (I need to order some, as you can tell from those pics I just took) It's some of the best hot sauce I ever had, and I had many. __________________ Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try. Yoda, Jedi Master CHIP Member # 87

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